U.S. patent application number 15/744236 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-26 for tamper-evident closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to NESTEC S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is NESTEC S.A.. Invention is credited to Jean-Paul Cerveny.
Application Number | 20180208374 15/744236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53717923 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180208374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cerveny; Jean-Paul |
July 26, 2018 |
TAMPER-EVIDENT CLOSURE
Abstract
A closure (100) for a container (104) comprises a base (106) and
a spout (110) disposed upon a mouth of said container (104) and
defining a void space (134) between them; a cap (118) which
comprises an inner body (124) concentrically disposed within an
outer body (122), said cap configured to be disposed on said base
(106) so as to seal therewith; and at least one tamper-evident
device (136) extending between and locking together said cap (118)
and said base (106), said tamper-evident device (136) comprising a
flattened member extending from an edge of said inner body member
(124) over at least one frangible link (140) and engaging said base
(106) such that when the cap (118) is opened said at least one
frangible link (140) ruptures, said tamper-evident device (136)
consequently falling into and being partially obscured by said void
space (134).
Inventors: |
Cerveny; Jean-Paul; (Vittel,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NESTEC S.A. |
Vevey |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
NESTEC S.A.
Vevey
CH
|
Family ID: |
53717923 |
Appl. No.: |
15/744236 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
July 15, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/066905 |
371 Date: |
January 12, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0804 20130101;
B65D 2401/15 20200501; B65D 55/024 20130101; B65D 47/08 20130101;
B65D 47/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/02 20060101
B65D055/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 17, 2015 |
EP |
15177383.5 |
Claims
1. A closure for a container, comprising: a cylindrical base
configured to attach to a mouth of a container; a spout disposed
within the base, a void space being defined between the spout and
the base, the spout being configured to be disposed upon, and in
fluid communication with, the mouth of the container; a cap
comprising a top cover, an inner body member extending from a
surface of the top cover, and an outer body member extending from
an edge of the top cover about the inner body member, the inner
body member enclosing the spout and forming a seal therewith when
the cap is disposed the base; and at least one tamper-evident
device extending between and locking together the cap and the base;
and the tamper-evident device comprises a flattened member
extending from the inner body member at an edge of the inner body
member opposite the top cover, the tamper-evident device being
unified with the inner body member over at least one frangible link
configured to rupture when the cap is removed from the base, the
tamper-evident device being subsequently retained in and at least
partially obscured by the void space.
2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein each at least one
tamper-evident device is unified with to the cap by a plurality of
frangible links.
3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein for each
tamper-evident device there is provided a viewing window in the
outer body member of the cap.
4. The closure according to claim 3, wherein the at least one
tamper-evident device is provided in a color contrasting that of
the cap.
5. The closure according to claim 3, wherein the viewing window is
a molded or cut-out notch.
6. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
tamper-evident device is fully obscured by the base when disposed
in the void space.
7. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the inner body member
and outer body member of the cap each comprise a substantially
cylindrical wall.
8. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
tamper-evident device is offset from the inner body member along a
lateral dimension of the cap.
9. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
tamper-evident device is substantially aligned with the inner body
member along an axial direction of the cap.
10. The closure according to claim 1, comprising a hinge disposed
between the cap and the base and constraining the relative motion
thereof, the hinge being disposed substantially opposite the at
least one tamper-evident device.
11. A method for the fabrication of a closure for a container,
comprising a cylindrical base configured to attach to a mouth of a
container, a spout disposed within the base, a void space being
defined between the spout and the base, the spout being configured
to be disposed upon, and in fluid communication with, the mouth of
the container, a cap comprising a top cover, an inner body member
extending from a surface of the top cover, and an outer body member
extending from an edge of the top cover about the inner body
member, the inner body member enclosing the spout and forming a
seal therewith when the cap is disposed upon the base, at least one
tamper-evident device extending between and locking together the
cap and the base, and the tamper-evident device comprises a
flattened member extending from the inner body member at an edge of
the inner body member opposite the top cover, the tamper-evident
device being unified with the inner body member over at least one
frangible link configured to rupture when the cap is removed from
the base, the tamper-evident device being subsequently retained in
and at least partially obscured by the void space, comprising the
steps of: providing a base, cap, and hinge in a single piece;
providing at least one tamper-evident device; and unifying the
tamper-evident device with the cap and the base.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one
tamper-evident device is unified with the cap by bi-injection or
ultrasonic welding.
13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a step for
sealing the closure wherein the cap is disposed upon the base, the
at least one tamper-evident device being thereby engaged with the
base.
14. A package comprising a container and a closure comprising a
cylindrical base configured to attach to a mouth of a container, a
spout disposed within the base, a void space being defined between
the spout and the base, the spout being configured to be disposed
upon, and in fluid communication with, the mouth of the container,
a cap comprising a top cover, an inner body member extending from a
surface of the top cover, and an outer body member extending from
an edge of the top cover about the inner body member, the inner
body member enclosing the spout and forming a seal therewith when
the cap is disposed upon the base, at least one tamper-evident
device extending between and locking together the cap and the base,
and the tamper-evident device comprises a flattened member
extending from the inner body member at an edge of the inner body
member opposite the top cover, the tamper-evident device being
unified with the inner body member over at least one frangible link
configured to rupture when the cap is removed from the base, the
tamper-evident device being subsequently retained in and at least
partially obscured by the void space.
15. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a tamper-evident device for a
closure of a container, as well as a container incorporating such a
tamper-evident device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It has long been known in the packaging arts to provide
containers with tamper-evident devices, which provide an indication
to the user that the closure of said container has been opened or
otherwise compromised.
[0003] Of particular importance are those tamper-evident devices
employed in packages containing products such as food, beverages,
cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. For products such as these, it is
of vital importance to the consumer to know whether the seal of the
container has been compromised, as the product may be tainted or
spoiled as a result of the container having been opened.
[0004] To this end, a tamper-evident device in the form of a
frangible seal, membrane, tab, band, ring, or the like is provided,
which is irreversibly broken in some way when the container is
opened for the first time. Such devices are desirable in that it is
difficult, even impossible, to reconstitute the seal and re-close
the container once it has been opened.
[0005] One type of closure which is of particular interest is the
"flip-cap" closure (also commonly known as a "sport cap" closure),
which is advantageous in that it is particularly easy to open, even
with one hand. However, the flip-open motion of the closure means
that the traditional drop-band tamper-evident device, commonly
found on screw-cap closures, is of limited utility.
[0006] As a result, flip-top closures generally employ a
tamper-evident device comprising a frangible tab or band which is
torn free from the closure by the user. This is disadvantageous, in
that the band, once so detached, is often discarded as litter and
may become a choking hazard to small children. It is thus highly
desirable to provide a tamper-evident device which is retained with
the container.
[0007] Several attempts have been made to address this issue, in
particular European patent application EP 2 213 584 A1 (EP'584).
EP'584 describes a number of different tamper-evident devices for
flip-cap closures, all of which drop into a cavity provided in the
base of the closure when the cap is lifted, and are at least
partially hidden within such cavity.
[0008] The closures presented in EP'584 can be further grouped into
two types: one type utilises at least one tab or flag connected to
the rest of the cap by frangible bridges, such that the tab is
moulded into the outer wall of the cap. The other type involves a
ring which locks to the cap and to the base and which breaks into
two pieces when the closure is opened.
[0009] Both of these configurations are disadvantageous, however.
In the first group, it is impossible to completely seal the mouth
of the container from exposure to the exterior; the window in which
the frangible tab is located necessarily results in an opening
through the wall of the cap to the outside, possibly allowing
contaminants such as dust to pass through to the mouth or nozzle of
the container. The use of a ring such as in the second group is
equally disadvantageous, in that it while it resolves the sealing
issue, it requires additional manipulation and assembly steps to
assemble the closure.
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved flip-cap closure which ameliorates at least
some of the difficulties elaborated above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] To this end, the invention is directed towards a closure for
a container, comprising a cylindrical base configured to attach to
a mouth of a container; a spout disposed within said base, a void
space being defined between said spout and said base, said spout
being configured to be disposed upon, and in fluid communication
with, said mouth of said container; a cap comprising a top cover,
an inner body member extending from a surface of said top cover,
and an outer body member extending from an edge of said top cover
about said inner body member, said inner body member enclosing said
spout and forming a seal therewith when said cap is disposed upon
said base; and a tamper-evident device extending between and
locking together said cap and said base;
[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, said
tamper-evident device further comprises a flattened member
extending from an edge of said inner body member opposite said top
cover, said tamper-evident device being unified with said inner
body member over at least one frangible link configured to rupture
when said cap is removed from said base, said tamper-evident device
being subsequently retained in and at least partially obscured by
said void space.
[0013] Such a closure is advantageous in that it provides a
tamper-evident closure which is furnished in one single piece, and
which maintains the spout in an enclosed, sealed environment.
[0014] In this way, a closure with a tamper-evident device may be
provided without requiring any additional assembly steps. The
possibility of a portion of the tamper-evident device coming loose
is also reduced, as there is no frangible ring to be retained with
the cap as in the prior-art closures.
[0015] Moreover, the fact that the tamper-evident device is moulded
as an extension of the inner body member means that there is no
crack, slot, window, or other opening in said inner body member.
Thus, there is no way for contaminants such as dust to enter into
the cap and contaminate the surfaces which may come into contact
with the product and/or the user's mouth.
[0016] Thus, the closure realizes all the advantages of the various
closure types known in the art, while incurring none of their
disadvantages.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, each at least one tamper-evident
device is unified with to the cap by a plurality of frangible
links.
[0018] This is advantageous in that the plurality of frangible
links reduces the likelihood that the tamper-evident device is
inadvertently broken and the closure inadvertently opened.
Furthermore, providing the plurality of frangible links makes the
cap easier to open: the frangible links will generally break in
series, rather than all at once. The security and ease of use of
the closure is thereby augmented.
[0019] In an embodiment, for each tamper evident device there is
provided a viewing window in the outer body member of the cap.
[0020] This is advantageous in that the user can determine whether
the tamper-evident device is intact without having to open the
closure. Moreover, the provision of a window will retain most of
the protective qualities of the outer body member without exposing
the tamper-evident band or the inner body member to an
undesirably-high degree.
[0021] Preferably, the at least one tamper-evident device is
provided in a colour contrasting that of the cap.
[0022] This is advantageous in that the contrast of the
tamper-evident device against the closure improves its visibility
and makes it easier for the user to determine whether the
tamper-evident device is still intact, particularly for those with
poor vision. The ease of use of the closure is thereby
improved.
[0023] More preferably, the viewing window is a moulded or cut-out
notch.
[0024] In this way, the viewing window can be implemented in the
most efficient and cost-effective way possible.
[0025] Preferably, the at least one tamper-evident device is
fully-obscured by the base when disposed in the void space.
[0026] This is advantageous in that the possibility of a user
mis-reading the state of the tamper-evident device is greatly
reduced, as no part of the latter is visible once the container has
been opened.
[0027] Preferably, the inner body member and the outer body member
of the cap each comprise a substantially cylindrical or prismatic
wall.
[0028] A closure so configured is advantageous in that it is easy
to fabricate while retaining a great deal of structural strength in
both the lateral and axial directions.
[0029] Moreover, the prism can be provided in an axially-symmetric
form, such as a cylinder, thereby facilitating the attachment and
re-attachment of the cap to the base by the user.
[0030] In a possible embodiment, the tamper-evident device is
offset from the inner body member along a lateral dimension of the
cap.
[0031] This is advantageous in that it will achieve a high degree
of sealing of the inner body member to the spout, thereby
optimizing the performance of the closure.
[0032] In an alternate embodiment, the tamper-evident device is
substantially aligned with the inner body member along an axial
direction of the cap.
[0033] This is advantageous in that a closure in such a
configuration is simple and inexpensive to fabricate, as the
moulding tooling will be less complex than for configurations where
the tamper-evident device is offset from the inner body member.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the closure further comprises a
hinge disposed between the cap and the base and constraining the
relative motion thereof, said hinge being disposed substantially
opposite said at least one tamper-evident device.
[0035] This is advantageous in that the tamper-evident device is
positioned directly in the user's line of vision as s/he opens the
container. The efficacy of the tamper-evident function of the
closure is thereby maximized.
[0036] According to a second aspect, the invention is directed
towards a method of fabricating a closure as described above,
comprising the steps of providing a base, cap, and hinge in a
single piece, providing a tamper-evident device, and unifying said
tamper-evident device with said cap and said base.
[0037] Such a method is advantageous in that the closure is
essentially assembled prior to its being attached to the container.
There is thus no additional handling or assembly step necessary
during the filling and sealing of the container, improving the
efficiency and cleanliness of the filling operation.
[0038] Preferably, the at least one tamper-evident device is
unified with the cap by bi-injection or ultrasonic welding.
[0039] Such fabrication techniques are particularly advantageous in
that they produce bonds which have predictable rupture strength, in
a quick and easy manner.
[0040] Most preferably, the method further comprises a step for
sealing the closure, wherein the cap is disposed upon the base, the
tamper-evident device being thereby engaged with the base.
[0041] This is advantageous in that the attachment of the closure
to the container also seals the container. The usage of the closure
with existing equipment and in existing container fabrication and
filling operations is thereby facilitated.
[0042] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a package comprising a container and a closure as
described above.
[0043] In this way, the advantages of the closure of the present
invention are implemented in a container.
[0044] According to a fourth aspect, the invention is directed to a
method for fabricating such a package, comprising the steps of
fabricating a closure as enumerated above, and then disposing said
closure upon the container.
[0045] In this way, the advantages of the closure, and of the
container comprising it, are realized in production.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the
presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with
reference to the drawings in which:
[0047] FIG. 1 is a side section view of a closure according to a
first embodiment of the invention, in an un-opened state;
[0048] FIG. 2 is a partial side-section view of the closure of FIG.
1, in an opened state;
[0049] FIG. 3A is a perspective detail view of the tamper-evident
device of the closure of FIG. 1;
[0050] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional detail view of the
tamper-evident device of the closure of FIG. 1;
[0051] FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view of a tamper-evident
device of a closure according to a second embodiment; and
[0052] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detail view of a tamper-evident
device of a closure according to a third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] FIG. 1 depicts, in a first embodiment of the invention, an
exemplary closure 100. The closure 100 is configured to be disposed
on a mouth 102 of a container 104 (depicted here in dashed
lines).
[0054] The closure 100 comprises a base 106, which is a
substantially cylindrical body configured to mate with the mouth
102 of the container 104.
[0055] The means by which the base is mated to the container may
depend on the application, in particular on the construction of the
container, the size of the mouth thereof (also known as the "neck
finish" of the container), the pressure anticipated within the
container, and other such factors as may be pertinent. For example,
the base may be attached to the container by such means as threads,
snap-fits, interference fits, welding or gluing, or bayonet-type
connections.
[0056] For instance, while not depicted here for the sake of
clarity, the base 106 may be furnished with threads on an interior
surface 108, which is configured to mate with a complementary
thread on the container 104. However, other means of mating the
base to the container, such as friction fits, crimps, retaining
rings, etc. may also be envisioned.
[0057] The closure 100 further comprises a spout 110. The spout 110
is configured to be disposed upon the container 104, at a rim 112
situated at the mouth of said container 104, such that it is forms
an extension of an interior volume 113 of the container 104.
[0058] The spout 110 has a substantially conical form, having a
wide end disposed upon the container 104 and a narrow end formed by
a nipple 114. The nipple 114 is provided with an aperture 116,
through which the product held within the container 104 is
dispensed. Additionally, a valve (not depicted) at the location of
the aperture 116 may be envisioned, so as to control the flow of a
liquid product through said aperture 116.
[0059] Thus, it will be recognized that when the spout 110 is
disposed upon the mouth 102 of the container 104, and the base 106
subsequently attached to the container 104, the base 106 acts to
retain the spout 110 in place upon the container 104 and seal it
thereto.
[0060] The closure 100 further comprises a cap 118, which is here
depicted disposed upon the spout 110 and the base 106. The cap 118
broadly comprises three elements: a top cover 120, an outer body
member 122, and an inner body member 124.
[0061] The top cover 120 is a substantially planar, disc-shaped
member, from which the outer body member 122 and inner body member
124 extend. The outer body member 122 is a substantially
cylindrical wall which extends from the perimeter of the top cover
120, substantially centred upon an axis 126 of the closure 100.
[0062] By "substantially cylindrical," of course, it will be
understood that the outer body member need not necessarily have a
perfectly circular cross-section, or have walls which are perfectly
straight and which meet the top body at right angles. Rather,
"substantially cylindrical" may encompass considerable variation in
the form of the closure, most particularly in the form of contours
provided to improve the ergonomic and stylistic aspects of the
closure, as in the outer body member 122 of the cap 118 depicted
here.
[0063] The inner body member 124 extends from an inner surface 128
of the top cover 120, substantially concentrically about the axis
126 with the outer body member 122, such that the outer body member
122 and the inner body member 124 are nested within each other.
[0064] The inner body member 124 and the spout 110 are formed so
that, when the cap 118 is disposed on the base 106, the inner body
member 124 seals against the spout 110. In the embodiment depicted
here in FIG. 1, this is accomplished by the abutment between a
distal end 130 of the inner body member 124 and a shoulder 132
furnished in the spout 110. This abutment is present over the
entire circumference of the inner body member 124 and spout 110,
thereby creating a fluid-tight seal between the two when the
closure 100 is closed.
[0065] There may also be provided a substantially-cylindrical plug
member 134 disposed upon the inner surface 128 of the top cover
120, configured to seal the aperture 116 when the cap 120 is
disposed upon the base 106, thereby offering an additional sealing
action. Such is particularly advantageous when the container 104 is
intended for rough service, or when avoiding leakage of the
contents of the container 104 is of particularly acute
importance.
[0066] It will be readily apparent that the interior surface of the
base 106 does not conform exactly to the exterior surface of the
spout 110. Rather, there is formed between the two a void space
134.
[0067] Of course, the exact configuration of the void space will,
naturally, depend on the configuration of the spout 110 and base
106, and need not necessarily extend over the entire circumference
of the closure 100 or be uniform in size or shape.
[0068] The closure 100 further comprises a tamper-evident device
136, which extends from a portion of the distal end 130 of the
inner body member 124. The tamper-evident device 136 also comprises
a locking flange 138. The tamper-evident device 136 is attached to
the distal end 130 of the inner body member 124 by a frangible link
140, the configuration of which will be discussed in further detail
below.
[0069] It will be readily understood that a tamper-evident device
according to the present invention need not extend around the
entire circumference of the closure. Rather, as here depicted by
the projection 144, the tamper-evident device 136 may simply extend
over only a portion of the circumference of the closure 100. This
has the effect of minimizing both the material necessary to
fabricate the closure, and the force necessary to break the
frangible link 140 when opening the closure 100.
[0070] During the initial assembly of the closure 100, the cap 118
is disposed upon the base 106, sealing the inner body member 124
against the spout 110 as discussed above. The tamper-evident device
136 will extend through a slot 142 into the void space 134, with
the locking flange 138 engaging a locking shoulder 146 formed in
the base 106. The tamper-evident device 136 is maintained in this
position by the frangible links 140.
[0071] Thus, once the closure 100 is assembled, the tamper-evident
device 136 will engage the base 106 and lock the cap 118 in the
closed, sealed position depicted here in FIG. 1.
[0072] Finally, the closure 100 is provided with a hinge 148,
disposed substantially opposite the tamper-evident device 136
across the axis 126. The hinge 148 serves primarily to define the
motion of the cap 118 relative to the base 106, as the cap is
opened and closed by the user.
[0073] With respect to the tamper-evident device 136, this is
particularly desirable as it will reduce the relative rotation and
lateral shear between the cap 118 and the base 106 when the user
seizes said cap 118, ensuring that when the cap is opened the
frangible links 140 holding the tamper-evident device 136 to the
inner body member 124 break in tension; thus, inadvertent rupture
of the frangible links 140 is avoided. The hinge 148 further serves
to retain the cap 118 to the base 106 when the closure 100 is
opened, improving ease of use.
[0074] Turning now to FIG. 2, the operation of the tamper-evident
device 136 will now be discussed.
[0075] In FIG. 2, the cap 118 is depicted as having been replaced
upon the base 106 after having been initially opened. The frangible
links between the tamper-evident device 136 and the inner body
member 124 having ruptured, the tamper-evident device has fallen
into the void space 134, being at least partially obscured
therein.
[0076] Preferably, the tamper-evident device 136, the base 106, and
the spout 110 are configured so that the contours of the void space
134 naturally inhibit the tamper-evident device 136 from falling
out of said void space 134 once it has fallen in. This prevents the
tamper-evident device 136 from being accidentally discarded as
litter or ingested by the user.
[0077] The cap 118 is provided with a viewing window 200, here
provided in the form of a notch moulded into the outer body member
122 of the cap 118. The viewing window 200 enables a user 202 to
inspect the tamper-evident device 136, by looking through said
viewing window 200 and verifying that the tamper-evident device 136
is still visible, and determine at a glance whether the closure 100
has been compromised.
[0078] Thus, in this case, the user 202 will look through the
viewing window 200 and see that the tamper-resistant device 136 is
no longer visible, and conclude that the closure 100 has been
opened at least once.
[0079] Of course, the viewing window may, in other embodiments, be
provided in other forms, such as a cut-out, or even in the form of
a bi-injected region of clear plastic forming a lens through which
the tamper-evident device can be observed. It may even be desirable
to fabricate the entire cap, or the entire closure, from a
transparent plastic material, to permit the state of the
tamper-evident device to be observed.
[0080] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
configuration and form of the tamper-evident device and its
frangible link to the cap can be adapted to the particular needs of
the application in question. To this end, FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5
illustrate, in a non-limiting manner, several possible
configurations for the attachment between the tamper-evident device
and the cap.
[0081] The following figures are schematic in nature; thus, for the
sake of clarity, certain elements such as locking flanges,
shoulders, rims, etc. are omitted from these figures. This does not
mean, however, that their absence or presence should be construed
as obligating their inclusion in or exclusion from any particular
embodiment of the invention.
[0082] In FIGS. 3A and 3B, there is provided the frangible link 140
described above. The frangible link comprises a plurality of
moulded bridges 300, which are configured to break when a tensile
force 302 reaches a pre-determined intensity corresponding to an
opening force exerted on the closure by a user.
[0083] The moulded bridges 300 are particularly advantageous in
that the tamper-evident device 136 may be fabricated as an integral
part of the cap during an injection-moulding process. Moreover, by
using a bi-injection process, the tamper-evident device 136 may be
moulded in a different, contrasting colour from the rest of the
closure. In this way, the functionality of the closure is augmented
while keeping the cost of its fabrication minimal.
[0084] The provision of the frangible link 140 in the form of the
plurality of moulded bridges 300 is also advantageous in that for
each of the moulded bridges 300 that fractures, the stress exerted
on the remaining moulded bridges 300 increases. Thus, when the
tensile force 302 is a constant, the tamper-evident device will
become more and more yielding as the cap is lifted off of the
base.
[0085] It can also be seen that the tamper-evident device 136 is
offset from the inner body member 124 along a radial direction of
the cap, i.e. horizontally when the cap is placed upon the base.
This is advantageous in that the lateral offset permits a better
sealing between the inner body member 124 and the spout which it
abuts when the closure is closed. Moreover, when the tensile force
302 is applied, there will be created in the moulded bridges 300 a
bending moment, further favouring the fracture of the frangible
link 140 and the separation of the tamper-evident device 136 from
the inner body member 124.
[0086] FIG. 4 depicts a tamper-evident device 400 according to
another embodiment of the invention. The tamper-evident device 400
is unified with the inner body member 124 not by moulded bridges,
but by ultrasonic welding, here depicted by a plurality of
ultrasonic spot welds 402 which form the frangible link 404.
[0087] While solidifying the tamper-evident device by ultrasonic
welding may require the tamper-evident device 400 to be fabricated
separately from the rest of the closure, this is nonetheless
advantageous in that the closure is assembled with the container in
a single piece, avoiding the handling and assembly difficulties of
the prior art as mentioned above.
[0088] Moreover, more complex forms of the tamper-evident device
400 may be achievable by fabricating it separately, than by
moulding it integrally with the rest of the closure as in the
embodiment discussed in FIGS. 1 through 3B. The user thus realizes
a greater deal of flexibility than by fabricating the frangible
link 404 by moulding alone.
[0089] FIG. 5 discloses yet another possible configuration for a
tamper-evident device 500. The tamper-evident device 500 extends
from an inner body member 502 by means of a moulded frangible link
504; however, unlike the previously-discussed embodiments, the
tamper-evident device 500 is substantially aligned with the inner
body member 502, along the axial direction of the cap (i.e.
vertically, when the cap is disposed on the base). Such a
configuration may be advantageous for certain configurations of the
closure where sealing by an interference fit between the inner body
member and the side of the spout.
[0090] While the embodiments described in the preceding discussion
illustrate the invention, it will be understood that variations are
possible without departing from the overall scope of the
invention.
[0091] In particular, it may be advantageous to combine the
tamper-evident device described above with other tamper-resistant
or tamper-evident devices known in the art.
[0092] For instance, it may be desirable to provide the closure
with a traditional drop-band tamper-evident device, to provide
indication that the closure has not been simply unscrewed from the
base while leaving the tamper-evident device in the cap intact.
[0093] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its
attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes
and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
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